Babyzen YOYO³ Review: The Famous Travel Stroller - Is It Worth the Hype?

Product Overview

Product Name: Babyzen YOYO³ Travel Stroller
Price Range: $499 (just for the stroller - newborn pack costs extra!)
Target Users: Parents who travel a lot, city families, people who want the "Instagram stroller"
One-line Summary: Everyone knows about this stroller, and yes, it's great for flying, but it costs a lot and has some annoying problems that might surprise you.

Key Specifications

• Price Range: $499 for the 6+ months version (you'll need extra stuff for newborns)
• Weight: 13.6 lbs (pretty light, but not the lightest out there)
• Folded Size: About the size of a carry-on bag - 20.5" × 17.3" × 7.1"
• Age Range: 6 months to about 4 years (48.5 lbs max)
• Airport Friendly: Yes! It fits in overhead bins and flight attendants know what it is
• Safety: Meets all the important safety standards

What Parents Really Love About It

1. It Actually Fits in Airplane Overhead Bins

This is the big one - it really does fit where it's supposed to, and airport staff recognize it immediately.

Real Parent Says: "What I love most about the Babyzen Yoyo is the compact fold, making it within IATA specifications to fit in the overhead bin of an airplane." - Melanie, frequent traveler

2. Super Easy to Push and Steer

Even with one hand while carrying your coffee and diaper bag, this thing turns on a dime.

Real Parent Says: "The Babyzen YoYo² makes a great travel stroller because it turns easily with one hand. The stroller is incredibly easy to turn, even at sharp angles." - Chloe, travel blogger

3. Feels Expensive and Well-Made

The materials are actually nice - not cheap plastic like some travel strollers. Your kid will be comfortable.

Real Parent Says: "The material on the Yoyo2 feels softer than most competitors, especially in the harness padding and straps." - BabyGearLab testing

4. Surprisingly Smooth Ride

For such a small stroller, it handles bumps pretty well thanks to decent suspension.

Real Parent Says: "The YOYO³ stroller benefits from unparalleled flexibility and cushioning, thanks to the new, individual suspensions on all 4 wheels." - Parent reviewer

5. Everyone Knows What It Is (Good for Flying)

Flight attendants and gate agents recognize this stroller, so you won't get hassled about size.

Real Parent Says: "When checking in for flights, especially the international airlines, I don't get questioned with the Babyzen since everyone seems to know it as cabin-approved." - Frequent flying parent

The Not-So-Great Stuff (Be Warned!)

1. The Folding Isn't Actually One-Handed

This is annoying: Despite what the ads say, you can't really fold this with one hand like they claim.

Real Parent Says: "It states that it is possible to fold down one handed in the advertising but having tried it several times, I haven't managed to do it. You have to bend down to reach a handle and it's kinda awkward." - Frustrated parent review

2. The Storage Space is Tiny

This will bug you: The basket underneath barely fits a small diaper bag. Forget about groceries or a day's worth of stuff.

Real Parent Says: "The storage on the Babyzen is a bummer. The basket under the seat is disappointing. We barely got our medium-sized diaper bag inside and that's it." - Parent review

3. It Costs WAY More Than You Think

Wallet shock: $499 is just the start. Want to use it with a newborn? That's another $200+. Need a rain cover? More money.

Real Parent Says: "The initial price you pay is not the final price. You need to buy a separate newborn pack or bassinet to pair with the frame, making it way more expensive than you think." - Multiple disappointed parents

4. Assembly Can Be a Pain

Setup frustration: Unlike some strollers that come mostly ready, this one requires a lot of assembly and the instructions aren't great.

Real Parent Says: "I basically had to assemble EVERYTHING, like from scratch. I regretted buying this stroller so much. The wheels get caught during folding if you don't do it exactly right." - Amazon reviewer

5. Small Wheels = Bumpy Rides on Rough Surfaces

City sidewalks only: Those small wheels look cute but they get stuck in cracks and don't handle grass, gravel, or anything rough very well.

Real Parent Says: "One of the biggest downsides is that you'll struggle to use it on certain terrains. The wheels easily get stuck in sidewalk cracks and there's more vibration noise than other strollers." - Parent who learned the hard way

How It Actually Works in Real Life

Getting Around

• Pushing it: Really smooth on sidewalks and in stores - the handle feels nice
• Turning: You can steer it with one hand easily, which is great when you're holding other stuff
• Different surfaces: Great on smooth pavement, not so great on grass, gravel, or bumpy sidewalks

Comfort for Your Kid

• The seat: Pretty comfy with good padding, reclines nicely for naps
• Sun protection: The canopy is decent and blocks UV rays well
• Bumpy rides: The suspension helps, but those small wheels still feel every crack
• Hot weather: Basic ventilation - your kid might get sweaty on really hot days

Daily Use Reality

• Folding: Looks easy in videos, but you'll need both hands and some practice
• Storage: That tiny basket will frustrate you - barely fits a diaper bag
• Extra stuff: You can buy accessories but they cost extra (of course)
• Setting up: Plan on spending time assembling it when it arrives

Safety Stuff

• Brakes: Work fine, easy to set
• Harness: Good quality 5-point harness that doesn't hurt little shoulders
• Stability: Pretty stable, though it can tip if you hang heavy bags on the handle
• Certifications: Meets all the safety rules, airline approved

Who Should (and Shouldn't) Get This Stroller

Perfect If You Are:

• Flying a lot - seriously, if you're on planes monthly, this makes sense
• Living in a city - great for subway stairs, crowded sidewalks, and small apartments
• Getting a second stroller - already have a big one at home for daily stuff
• Okay spending extra for the brand name - you want the "famous" stroller everyone recognizes

Skip This If You Are:

• On a budget - there are cheaper travel strollers that do similar things
• Living in suburbs - you need storage space and it needs to handle grass/gravel
• Planning to use it daily - it's not built for heavy everyday use
• Living somewhere with bad sidewalks - those small wheels will drive you nuts

Better Alternatives to Consider:

• UPPAbaby Minu V3 ($399) - More storage, still airline friendly
• Bugaboo Butterfly 2 ($449) - Similar price, better for daily use
• GB Pockit+ ($230) - Way cheaper, even more compact

Buying Advice

Go for It If:

• You fly internationally a lot - like seriously, multiple times a year
• You live in a walking city - NYC, SF, Chicago where you're on foot/subway daily
• This is your travel/backup stroller - you have a bigger one for regular use
• You care about having the "right" stroller - image matters to you

Don't Buy If:

• You're a first-time parent - get something more versatile first
• You need lots of storage - this tiny basket will make you crazy
• You're trying to save money - there are cheaper options that work fine
• You live in suburbs - you need bigger wheels and more storage

Money-Saving Tips:

• Buy from authorized stores - you want that warranty
• Look for sales - sometimes goes down to $400ish during Black Friday
• Consider used - these hold their value, but you might save $100-150
• Budget for extras - you'll spend another $200+ on the newborn pack and accessories

Our Honest Rating

Overall Score: 4.2/5 (it's good at what it does, but what it does is pretty specific)
Bottom Line: Great travel stroller if money isn't tight, but don't expect it to be your everyday workhorse
Value: Expensive for what you get, but if you fly a lot, it might be worth it

The Real Talk

Look, the YOYO³ is famous for a reason - it really does make flying with kids easier, and it's genuinely nice to push around the city. The problem is that it costs a lot and has some real limitations that might bug you daily.

If you travel internationally a lot, live in a walking city, and have the money to spend, you'll probably love it. But if you're looking for one stroller to do everything, or if you're trying to stick to a budget, there are better options out there.

The biggest thing to know: this isn't really a $500 stroller - by the time you add the newborn pack and a few accessories, you're looking at $700+. Just be honest about whether you need what it offers, because there are plenty of other strollers that might make you happier for less money.

Bottom line: It's a luxury item that happens to be a stroller. Buy it if that makes sense for your life, but don't feel like you're missing out if you skip it.

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This review is based on comprehensive analysis of parent experiences from various sources and product specifications.